Quick & Creamy Million Dollar Baked Ziti Recipe Everyone Loves

Crafting a million dollar baked ziti promises an unforgettable culinary adventure that will leave everyone asking for seconds.

Pasta enthusiasts know comfort food can be both luxurious and simple to prepare.

Layers of rich cheese, perfectly seasoned meat, and al dente noodles create a symphony of flavors that dance across your palate.

Hearty ingredients blend seamlessly, promising a meal that feels like a warm embrace from an Italian grandmother.

Carefully selected components elevate this classic dish from ordinary to extraordinary.

Creamy, bubbling, and irresistibly golden, this recipe guarantees smiles around the dinner table.

You’ll want to savor every single bite of this decadent masterpiece.

Million Dollar Baked Ziti Made Better

• Crowd-Pleasing Comfort: Indulge in a hearty pasta dish that brings everyone together with its rich, creamy layers and satisfying meat sauce.
• Minimal Prep, Maximum Flavor: Breeze through the cooking process with simple steps that deliver an impressive, restaurant-quality meal without complex techniques.
• Versatile Family Feast: Perfect for busy weeknights, potlucks, or weekend gatherings, this ziti adapts to any dining occasion with its crowd-winning appeal.
• Customize with Ease: Swap ground beef for sausage, add extra vegetables, or experiment with different cheese blends to make this recipe uniquely yours.

Ingredients List for Million Dollar Baked Ziti

• Ziti Pasta: A classic tubular pasta that perfectly holds the rich sauce and cheese in this comforting dish.

• Ground Beef: Provides hearty protein and depth of flavor to the ziti.
• Marinara Sauce: A classic Italian tomato sauce that adds tangy and bright notes to the dish.
• Garlic: Adds aromatic depth and enhances the overall flavor profile.

• Ricotta Cheese: Creates a creamy and smooth base for the cheese mixture.
• Cream Cheese: Adds extra richness and helps bind the cheese mixture together.
• Mozzarella Cheese: Provides that classic stretchy and melty cheese texture.
• Parmesan Cheese: Contributes a sharp and salty flavor to complement the other cheeses.

• Egg: Helps bind the cheese mixture and adds structure.
• Parsley: Brings a fresh herbal note and adds a pop of green color.

Baking Guide for Million Dollar Baked Ziti

Step 1: Warm Up the Oven

Set your oven to a toasty 375F (190C) to create the perfect baking environment.

Step 2: Cook the Pasta

Boil the ziti pasta following the package instructions.

Once perfectly cooked, drain and set aside, letting it rest patiently.

Step 3: Sizzle the Meat and Sauce

Grab a skillet and brown the ground beef over medium heat.

Toss in minced garlic and pour in marinara sauce. Let the mixture simmer and meld flavors for about 5 minutes.

Step 4: Whip Up the Cheese Blend

• Ricotta cheese
• Cream cheese
• Mozzarella cheese
• Parmesan cheese
• Egg
• Chopped parsley

Mix these ingredients until they form a smooth, creamy mixture.

Step 5: Layer the Deliciousness

• Spread half the cooked pasta
• Add half the cheese mixture
• Pour half the meat sauce

Repeat these layers for maximum flavor impact.

Step 6: Top with Cheese

Sprinkle the remaining mozzarella cheese over the top, creating a golden, melty crown.

Step 7: Bake to Perfection

Cover the dish with foil and bake for 20 minutes.

Then, remove the foil and continue baking for 10-15 minutes until the top turns bubbly and golden brown.

Step 8: Rest and Serve

Allow the baked ziti to cool slightly, letting the flavors settle.

Slice, serve, and enjoy your million-dollar masterpiece!

Tips for a Flawless Million Dollar Baked Ziti

• Drain pasta thoroughly to prevent watery sauce and ensure perfect texture in your ziti.
• Opt for fresh herbs like parsley or basil to elevate the flavor profile and add brightness to the dish.
• Allow the ziti to rest for 10 minutes after baking, which helps the layers set and makes serving easier.
• Use lean ground beef to reduce excess grease and create a cleaner, more balanced sauce.
• Choose full-fat cheeses for maximum creaminess and rich, indulgent taste that makes this ziti truly irresistible.

Tasty Twists on Million Dollar Baked Ziti

• Vegetarian Ziti: Replace ground beef with plant-based crumbles or roasted vegetables like zucchini, eggplant, and bell peppers for a meat-free version.
• Gluten-Free Option: Swap regular ziti pasta with gluten-free pasta made from rice, corn, or chickpea flour to accommodate gluten sensitivities.
• Spicy Mexican-Style Ziti: Add diced jalapeños, use pepper jack cheese, and mix in taco seasoning to give the dish a southwestern kick.
• Low-Carb Alternative: Substitute pasta with zucchini noodles or spaghetti squash for a lighter, lower-carbohydrate meal that maintains the classic ziti flavor profile.

What to Serve with Million Dollar Baked Ziti

• Cozy Family Feast: Serve this ziti with a crisp green salad and crusty garlic bread to make a complete, satisfying meal that everyone will love.
• Potluck Party Platter: Bring this dish to gatherings and watch it disappear quickly. Slice into generous portions and garnish with fresh basil for extra color and flavor.
• Italian Restaurant Experience: Plate individual servings on warm plates, sprinkle extra Parmesan on top, and pair with a glass of red wine to elevate the dining experience.
• Game Night Comfort: Cut into smaller squares as an appetizer for sports watching or casual get-togethers, making it perfect for sharing and snacking.

Storage Advice for Million Dollar Baked Ziti

• Refrigerate leftover baked ziti in an airtight container within 2 hours of cooking to prevent bacterial growth.
• Store in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days, keeping the dish tightly sealed to maintain moisture and prevent odors.
• Wrap individual portions in plastic wrap or aluminum foil for easier storage and quick grab-and-go meals.
• Freeze baked ziti for longer storage, placing in freezer-safe containers or heavy-duty freezer bags for up to 2-3 months.

FAQs

• Is million dollar baked ziti suitable for meal prep?

Yes, you can prepare this dish ahead of time and refrigerate before baking. Assemble the layers, cover tightly with plastic wrap, and store in the refrigerator for up to 24 hours before baking.

• Can I use different types of ground meat?

Absolutely! Ground turkey, Italian sausage, or a blend of meats work great as substitutes for ground beef. Choose your favorite or what you have on hand.

• How do I prevent the pasta from becoming mushy?

Cook the ziti al dente (slightly firm) before assembling the casserole. This helps maintain texture during baking. The pasta will continue to absorb moisture while cooking in the oven.

• Is this recipe freezer-friendly?

Yes, you can freeze the assembled (unbaked) ziti for up to 3 months.

Perfect Baked Ziti Recipe

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4.6 from 27 reviews

• Total Time: 1 hour 5 minutes
• Yield: 6 1x

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Description

Million dollar baked ziti promises a culinary journey through rich Italian-American comfort cuisine. Creamy cheeses, robust marinara, and perfectly cooked pasta create a memorable meal you’ll crave again and again.

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Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

Main Ingredients:

• 1 pound ziti pasta
• 1 pound ground beef
• 24 ounces (680 grams) marinara sauce
• 2 cups (226 grams) shredded mozzarella cheese
• 15 ounces (425 grams) ricotta cheese

Cheese and Binding Ingredients:

• 8 ounces (226 grams) cream cheese, softened
• 12 cup (50 grams) grated Parmesan cheese
• 1 large egg

Seasoning and Herbs:

• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 14 cup (15 grams) chopped parsley
• Salt, to taste
• Pepper, to taste

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Instructions

1. Warm the oven to 375F (190C) and prepare a baking dish with cooking spray.
2. Boil ziti pasta in salted water until al dente, then thoroughly drain and set aside.
3. Brown ground beef in a skillet over medium heat, breaking into small crumbles. Introduce minced garlic and marinara sauce, allowing the mixture to simmer and develop flavors for 5 minutes.
4. Create the cheese blend by whisking ricotta, cream cheese, mozzarella, Parmesan, egg, and chopped parsley until smooth and well-incorporated.
5. Construct the first pasta layer by spreading half the cooked ziti across the bottom of the baking dish, followed by an even distribution of cheese mixture and meat sauce.
6. Repeat the layering process with remaining pasta, cheese mixture, and meat sauce to build a robust casserole structure.
7. Generously sprinkle the remaining mozzarella cheese across the top, ensuring complete coverage.
8. Shield the dish with aluminum foil and bake for 20 minutes to allow flavors to meld.
9. Remove foil and continue baking for 10-15 minutes until the cheese turns golden and edges become crispy and bubbly.
10. Allow the ziti to rest for 5-7 minutes before serving, which helps set the layers and makes cutting easier.

Notes

• Use lean ground beef or turkey for a healthier protein option that reduces overall fat content.
• Mix different cheese varieties like provolone or fontina for deeper, more complex flavor profiles.
• Allow cheese mixture to sit for 10 minutes before layering to help ingredients meld together smoothly.
• Consider adding spinach or zucchini to increase vegetable content and nutritional value without compromising taste.

• Prep Time: 30 minutes
• Cook Time: 35 minutes
• Category: Lunch, Dinner
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: Italian-American

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 6
• Calories: 560 kcal
• Sugar: 6 g
• Sodium: 580 mg
• Fat: 28 g
• Saturated Fat: 14 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 12 g
• Trans Fat: 0.5 g
• Carbohydrates: 45 g
• Fiber: 3 g
• Protein: 35 g
• Cholesterol: 95 mg